Bradenton Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Luring Minor Online

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has handed down a harsh sentence to 52-year-old Brian Walker of Bradenton, who has been found guilty of attempting to coerce and entice a 12-year-old minor into engaging in sexual activity and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Walker, who pleaded guilty on March 25, 2025, was sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release. This is a wake-up call for those who think they can hide behind the shadows of the internet and prey on innocent children.

According to court documents, Walker made contact with a 12-year-old female living in his community through a social media application. The FBI took over the minor’s social media account and engaged in chats with Walker in an undercover capacity. Walker engaged in sexual conversations with the undercover agent, whom he believed to be the 12-year-old female, and attempted to coerce and entice her to engage in sexual activity.

Within the conversations, Walker shared his attraction to 12-year-old females and expressed his desire to meet in person. On June 24, 2024, Walker traveled to meet the minor in person at the community pool and was arrested at the scene. Law enforcement seized a cell phone from Walker and located hundreds of images and videos of minors, including those under the age of 12 years, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

This case is a disturbing reminder of the reality of child sexual exploitation and abuse. It is a symptom of a larger problem that plagues our society, and it is up to us to take action to prevent it. We must continue to work together to bring perpetrators like Walker to justice and protect our children from harm.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Brian Walker’s sentence is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement and prosecutors who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. We must continue to support their efforts and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.